Tapping head for tapping beverages pressurized by gas

Abstract

A tapping head that is coupled to a disinfectant pump, the tapping head is for tapping beverages pressurized by gas. This tapping head comprises a housing, and a tapping tappet, disposed within the housing. This tapping tappet has at least one channel. There is also an actuating lever coupled to the housing. There is also a beverage closing valve disposed within the housing. Furthermore, there is also a fitting disposed at an end of the tapping tappet. When in operation, a disinfectant for disinfecting an area of the fitting is fed first via the actuating lever wherein the tapping tappet is subsequently moved against a CO 2 connector of the fitting area whereby the beverage closing valve is opened.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A tapping head coupled to a disinfectant source, the tapping head for disinfecting a fitting for tapping beverages pressurized by gas comprising: 
       a) a housing;  
       b) a tapping tappet disposed within said housing;  
       c) an actuating lever pivotably coupled to said housing;  
       d) a beverage closing valve having at least one channel and disposed within said housing; and  
       e) a fitting disposed adjacent an end of said tapping tappet;  
       wherein a disinfectant for disinfecting an area of said fitting is fed first via said actuating lever wherein said tapping tappet is subsequently moved against a gas connector of said fitting area whereby said beverage closing valve is opened allowing beverages to flow. 
     
     
       2. The tapping head as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a) a disinfectant line disposed within said tapping tappet and coupled to the disinfectant pump;  
       b) a gas conveying valve disposed within said tapping tappet;  
       c) a first cam disk coupled to said actuating lever, for actuating a disinfectant pump coupled to said disinfectant line which feeds disinfectant into a fitting zone of said fitting via said disinfectant channel;  
       d) a second cam disk coupled to said actuating lever, wherein when said actuating lever rotates, said second cam disk moves said beverage closing valve down via an upper end on said tapping tappet; and  
       e) a third cam disk coupled to said actuating lever, wherein as said actuating lever rotates, said third cam disk moves said tapping tappet down into a seat against a gas connection with said gas flow valve so that said gas connection is opened and a seal located within the zone of the fitting is also opened.  
     
     
       3. The tapping tappet as in  claim 2 , further comprising a conveying gas connection, coupled to said tapping tappet in a CO 2  zone via said gas conveying valve. 
     
     
       4. The tapping head as in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
       a plunger pump coupled to said disinfectant line;  
       an additional conveying gas connection which is connected with said disinfectant line via said plunger pump, wherein said conveying gas connection has a lower opening directed at a lower area of the tapping head.  
     
     
       5. The tapping head as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a) a tappet line coupled to said disinfectant line;  
       b) at least two disinfectant pumps, wherein a left pump conveys the disinfectant during a downward movement from line to tappet line into said space and a right pump conveys the disinfectant during the upward movement or tapping of the container into said space via a second tappet line.  
     
     
       6. A tapping head comprising: 
       a) a housing having a chamber with a bore;  
       b) at least one beverage line feeding into said housing;  
       c) a plurality of tappets comprising at least one beverage tappet at least one sealing tappet, and at least one additional sealing tappet;  
       d) at least one actuating lever rotatably mounted within said housing;  
       e) at least one cam disk coupled to said actuating lever;  
       f) at least one seal disposed within said housing, said seal for sealing said at least one beverage tappet within said housing; and  
       g) at least one seal dish coupled to said at least one sealing tappet, wherein when said actuating lever is rotated, said at least one cam disk moves said plurality of tappets down so that said seal is pressed onto the fitting, whereby said beverage tappet simultaneously presses said seal dish down, so that the beverage can be conveyed through said bore to said beverage line.